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Great businesses are being built everywhere. Investment opportunity is not reaching founders equally.
Too many talented entrepreneurs continue to be overlooked, underestimated and under-backed, not because they lack ambition or business potential, but because they have not had equal access to investment, influential networks and the rooms where important decisions are made.
The funding gap remains stark across several under-represented founder groups. In 2024, just 2% of UK equity investment went to female founders, while recent evidence suggests that Black female founders received as little as 0.2% of funding. Founders from Black, Asian and other under-represented backgrounds also continue to face significant barriers in accessing finance, networks and support.
We do not believe this reflects a shortage of ambitious founders, innovative ideas or investible businesses.
It reflects a shortage of access, visibility and opportunity.
The Cap Table Pitch Competition was created to help change that.
Delivered by Forbes Family Group with support from leading investment, banking and business partners, the competition identifies ambitious founders building scalable businesses and connects them with feedback, coaching, visibility, strategic relationships and potential investment.
This is more than an opportunity to pitch. It is an opportunity to be seen, heard and backed.
Join the Early Access List
Too many talented entrepreneurs continue to be overlooked, underestimated and under-backed, not because they lack ambition or business potential, but because they have not had equal access to investment, influential networks and the rooms where important decisions are made.
The funding gap remains stark across several under-represented founder groups. In 2024, just 2% of UK equity investment went to female founders, while recent evidence suggests that Black female founders received as little as 0.2% of funding. Founders from Black, Asian and other under-represented backgrounds also continue to face significant barriers in accessing finance, networks and support.
We do not believe this reflects a shortage of ambitious founders, innovative ideas or investible businesses.
It reflects a shortage of access, visibility and opportunity.
The Cap Table Pitch Competition was created to help change that.
Delivered by Forbes Family Group with support from leading investment, banking and business partners, the competition identifies ambitious founders building scalable businesses and connects them with feedback, coaching, visibility, strategic relationships and potential investment.
This is more than an opportunity to pitch. It is an opportunity to be seen, heard and backed.
Join the Early Access List
What Could You Gain?
Selected founders will have the opportunity to:
We are targeting a total investment and prize pot of more than £60,000 for the 2026 competition.
The final amount, investment structure and allocation of funding will be confirmed before the competition’s judging and investment decisions are completed.
Participation in the competition does not guarantee investment.
- Pitch for potential investment and financial support
- Present their business directly to experienced investors and business leaders
- Receive high-quality feedback on their business and investment proposition
- Access one-to-one coaching and strategic advice
- Strengthen their pitch and approach to investment
- Increase the visibility of their business
- Build valuable relationships across the Cap Table partner and investor network
- Join a growing community committed to backing under-represented founders
We are targeting a total investment and prize pot of more than £60,000 for the 2026 competition.
The final amount, investment structure and allocation of funding will be confirmed before the competition’s judging and investment decisions are completed.
Participation in the competition does not guarantee investment.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We want to hear from ambitious founders who have moved beyond the initial idea stage and can demonstrate meaningful progress.
We are particularly interested in businesses that:
You do not need to have raised investment before.
You do not need to come from an established entrepreneurial network.
You do not need to have had the same access, introductions or opportunities as other founders.
You do need to show that you understand your market, have made meaningful progress and have the ambition and ability to build something significant.
We are particularly interested in businesses that:
- Use technology or a technology-enabled business model
- Address a clear and important customer or market problem
- Have developed and tested a minimum viable product
- Can demonstrate traction through revenue, customers, users, pilots, partnerships, testing or other credible market evidence
- Have the potential to grow and scale significantly
- Are currently operating in the UK or are committed to establishing their business here
You do not need to have raised investment before.
You do not need to come from an established entrepreneurial network.
You do not need to have had the same access, introductions or opportunities as other founders.
You do need to show that you understand your market, have made meaningful progress and have the ambition and ability to build something significant.
UNDER-REPRESENTED and UNDER-BACKED FOUNDERS
The Cap Table Pitch Competition is deliberately designed to increase access to investment, support and visibility for founders who continue to be under-represented and under-backed within entrepreneurship and investment.
We particularly encourage applications from:
This list is not exhaustive.
We recognise that under-representation can take different forms and that founders may experience several overlapping barriers.
Our intention is not to lower the standard for investment.
It is to widen access, recognise potential more fairly and ensure that strong founders are not excluded simply because they have not had access to the right networks, introductions or opportunities.
We particularly encourage applications from:
- Black founders
- Asian founders
- Founders from other minority ethnic backgrounds
- Women founders
- Disabled founders
- Neurodivergent founders
- LGBTQIA+ founders
- Founders from lower-income or economically disadvantaged backgrounds
- Founders who have faced other systemic barriers to accessing investment, influential networks or business support
This list is not exhaustive.
We recognise that under-representation can take different forms and that founders may experience several overlapping barriers.
Our intention is not to lower the standard for investment.
It is to widen access, recognise potential more fairly and ensure that strong founders are not excluded simply because they have not had access to the right networks, introductions or opportunities.
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN APPLICATIONS OPEN
Applications for the Cap Table Pitch Competition 2026 will open on Sunday 9 August 2026.
Join the Early Access List to be among the first to know when the competition goes live and to receive important application updates, workshop information and competition announcements.
Joining the Early Access List does not commit you to applying and does not form part of the judging process.
Join the Early Access List
Join the Early Access List to be among the first to know when the competition goes live and to receive important application updates, workshop information and competition announcements.
Joining the Early Access List does not commit you to applying and does not form part of the judging process.
Join the Early Access List
Your 30-Second Founder Video
As part of your application, you will be asked to upload a short video of up to 30 seconds introducing yourself and your business.
If you are selected for the Public Vote, this video will be shared with a wider audience and used to help people understand your business and decide whether to support you.
Your video does not need to be professionally produced, and you can record it on your phone. However, it should be clear, well prepared and reflect the ambition of your business.
We are not looking for expensive equipment, advanced editing or professional presentation skills. We are looking for a confident and engaging introduction that shows you have taken the opportunity seriously.
In your video, tell us:
The strength of your business matters more than production quality, but the effort, clarity and energy you bring to your video will help you represent your business effectively.
If you are selected for the Public Vote, this video will be shared with a wider audience and used to help people understand your business and decide whether to support you.
Your video does not need to be professionally produced, and you can record it on your phone. However, it should be clear, well prepared and reflect the ambition of your business.
We are not looking for expensive equipment, advanced editing or professional presentation skills. We are looking for a confident and engaging introduction that shows you have taken the opportunity seriously.
In your video, tell us:
- Who you are
- What your business does
- The problem you are solving
- What you have achieved so far
- Why people should be excited about your business
The strength of your business matters more than production quality, but the effort, clarity and energy you bring to your video will help you represent your business effectively.
THE CAP TABLE PITCH COMPETITION 2026 TIMELINE
Sunday 26 July to Saturday 8 August: Early Access
Join the Early Access List to be among the first to know when applications open and receive important competition updates.
Join the Early Access List
Sunday 9 August: Applications Open
Applications for the Cap Table Pitch Competition 2026 officially open. You will be able to save your application and return to improve it before submitting.
Tuesday 25 August: Cap Table Pitch Competition Q&A Session
Join this online session to learn more about the competition, understand what makes a strong application and ask questions about the process.
The session will cover:
Start your application before attending.
Reviewing the application in advance will help you ask more specific questions and get greater value from the session.
Register for the Online Q&A Session
Monday 7 September: HSBC Innovation Banking Founder Readiness Workshop
Applicants can apply to attend an exclusive, in-person founder workshop hosted by HSBC Innovation Banking in central London.
The session will provide practical guidance on building a scalable and investible business, preparing to raise finance and strengthening your investment proposition.
The workshop will take place from 5.00pm to 7:30pm. Places are limited and submitting the form does not guarantee selection.
Start your application before attending.
Apply for the HSBC Innovation Banking Workshop
Tuesday 15 September: Application Deadline
Final applications must be submitted by 11.59pm. Applications that have only been saved and not formally submitted will not be considered.
Monday 28 September to Sunday 4 October: Public Vote
Shortlisted founders will take part in a public voting campaign, with two founders progressing to the semi-final.
October: Semi-Finalists Announced and Coaching Begins
Twelve semi-finalists will be selected and receive tailored support to strengthen their proposition, investment case and pitch.
Early November: Semi-Final
Twelve founders will pitch online to a judging panel, with four progressing to the Grand Final.
Tuesday 1 December: Grand Final
Four finalists will pitch live in London to judges, investors and guests for the opportunity to secure investment and support.
Join the Early Access List to be among the first to know when applications open and receive important competition updates.
Join the Early Access List
Sunday 9 August: Applications Open
Applications for the Cap Table Pitch Competition 2026 officially open. You will be able to save your application and return to improve it before submitting.
Tuesday 25 August: Cap Table Pitch Competition Q&A Session
Join this online session to learn more about the competition, understand what makes a strong application and ask questions about the process.
The session will cover:
- What the judges will be looking for
- How applications will be assessed
- What makes an effective application
- How the Public Vote, semi-final and Grand Final stages work
- What support is available to selected founders
Start your application before attending.
Reviewing the application in advance will help you ask more specific questions and get greater value from the session.
Register for the Online Q&A Session
Monday 7 September: HSBC Innovation Banking Founder Readiness Workshop
Applicants can apply to attend an exclusive, in-person founder workshop hosted by HSBC Innovation Banking in central London.
The session will provide practical guidance on building a scalable and investible business, preparing to raise finance and strengthening your investment proposition.
The workshop will take place from 5.00pm to 7:30pm. Places are limited and submitting the form does not guarantee selection.
Start your application before attending.
Apply for the HSBC Innovation Banking Workshop
Tuesday 15 September: Application Deadline
Final applications must be submitted by 11.59pm. Applications that have only been saved and not formally submitted will not be considered.
Monday 28 September to Sunday 4 October: Public Vote
Shortlisted founders will take part in a public voting campaign, with two founders progressing to the semi-final.
October: Semi-Finalists Announced and Coaching Begins
Twelve semi-finalists will be selected and receive tailored support to strengthen their proposition, investment case and pitch.
Early November: Semi-Final
Twelve founders will pitch online to a judging panel, with four progressing to the Grand Final.
Tuesday 1 December: Grand Final
Four finalists will pitch live in London to judges, investors and guests for the opportunity to secure investment and support.
ELIGIBILITY
To apply for the Cap Table Pitch Competition, your business should:
Applications are welcome from founding teams and solo founders.
Solo founders should demonstrate that they have access to the employees, contractors, advisors, board members or wider support required to execute their plans and grow the business.
The competition is intended for businesses that have progressed beyond the initial idea stage.
Submitting an application does not guarantee progression, coaching, investment or financial support. Applications remain subject to eligibility checks, judging and due diligence.
- Have a clearly defined product or service
- Have developed at least a minimum viable product, prototype or working solution
- Demonstrate traction through customers, users, revenue, pilots, partnerships, testing or other credible evidence
- Address a clear customer or market need
- Have strong potential to grow and scale
- Be operating in the UK, planning to enter the UK market or willing to establish an appropriate UK business entity if selected for investment
- Include at least one founder who identifies as under-represented within entrepreneurship or investment
- Be available to participate in the relevant competition stages if selected
Applications are welcome from founding teams and solo founders.
Solo founders should demonstrate that they have access to the employees, contractors, advisors, board members or wider support required to execute their plans and grow the business.
The competition is intended for businesses that have progressed beyond the initial idea stage.
Submitting an application does not guarantee progression, coaching, investment or financial support. Applications remain subject to eligibility checks, judging and due diligence.
WHAT WILL THE JUDGES BE LOOKING FOR?
Applications will be assessed against areas including:
Applicants are not expected to have every part of their business fully developed.
Strong applications will be clear, evidence-led and realistic about both the progress already made and the work still required.
- The problem: Is the business addressing a clear and important customer or market need?
- The solution: Does the product or service provide a compelling and differentiated response?
- Traction: Has the founder demonstrated progress through revenue, customers, users, pilots, partnerships or testing?
- Market potential: Is there a sufficiently attractive opportunity?
- Scalability: Does the business have the potential to grow significantly and sustainably?
- The founder and team: Do they demonstrate the insight, capability, commitment and ambition required?
- The business model: Is there a credible route to sustainable revenue?
- Investment potential: Could investment meaningfully accelerate the business?
Applicants are not expected to have every part of their business fully developed.
Strong applications will be clear, evidence-led and realistic about both the progress already made and the work still required.
PREVIOUS CAP TABLE COMPETITIONS
Explore the 2025 Cap Table Pitch Competition and meet some of the founders who took part.
The 2025 Competition
Watch the 2025 Winners Announcement on Instagram
2025 Winners and Finalists
You can also explore previous Cap Table winners and competitors, including Needi, The Vegan Patty Lady, Gusto Snacks, Lukango, Sling, Prolithink and Your Cue.
The 2025 Competition
Watch the 2025 Winners Announcement on Instagram
2025 Winners and Finalists
- Borough 22
- Yendy
- March Muses
- Elvardi
You can also explore previous Cap Table winners and competitors, including Needi, The Vegan Patty Lady, Gusto Snacks, Lukango, Sling, Prolithink and Your Cue.
YOUR BUSINESS COULD BE NEXT
The founders we want to reach may not always have access to established investor networks.
They may not have received the same introductions, encouragement or opportunities as others.
But they are building ambitious businesses, solving important problems and demonstrating the potential to grow.
The Cap Table Pitch Competition exists to ensure that more of those founders are seen, supported and seriously considered for investment.
Applications open on Sunday 9 August 2026.
Join the Early Access List and be among the first to know when the competition goes live.
Join the Early Access List
They may not have received the same introductions, encouragement or opportunities as others.
But they are building ambitious businesses, solving important problems and demonstrating the potential to grow.
The Cap Table Pitch Competition exists to ensure that more of those founders are seen, supported and seriously considered for investment.
Applications open on Sunday 9 August 2026.
Join the Early Access List and be among the first to know when the competition goes live.
Join the Early Access List